I'm curious about the general opinion of a generally educated populous on these bills. I am very much against their methods...SOPA in particular threatens to break DNS as we know it...but I understand why bills like this and the COICA (which was defeated in 2010) are coming through Congress.

Horrible. This bill along with the NDAA are proof that neither party works for us.

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"Swim against the tide, don't follow the group, stay away from the majority, seek out the fresh and new, stay away from the poseurs, and don't be a barnacle. Be original, be different, be passionate, be selfless and be free. Be a hockey fan."
--John Buccigross

i watched the initial SOPA panel hearings. Some of the people on the panel know exactly what is going on and tell it like it is
the MPAA and RIAA are spending MILLIONS of dollars lobbying for this to go through. A few of the panel's members are in bed with them, saying "Pass this and ask questions later"

Same people who know whats going on, have talked to IP experts and explain the sheer logistical challenges that coincide with something like a great american firewall.
of course, those who want it in place, have zero idea how the internet works, and they didn't seem to care how it worked because it would make things too hard.

this bill just smells of garbage and should have never even been brought up to our government. It will infringe on our free speech and cause way more issues than it will solve

Wikipedia's also "blacked out", with information that helps you find your Congressmen and send in E-mails/calls of protest. Highly recommend you do this if you disapprove of this bill: let Congress know you are anti-SOPA and anti-PIPA. Tell them how you feel. Express your disapproval of this bill, and if they don't listen, speak with your vote.

I am personally against this and once I am not at work (I would rather not E-mail the White House from my job's IP), I will be E-mailing my Congressmen to complain.